Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Topic: Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it? (Read 5161 times) previous topic - next topic

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

January 30, 2006, 11:53:18 PM

Well today was pretty exciting. I tore apart my 5.0 this past weekend and painstakingly indexed everything. But today, as I was inspecting the bearings, journals, bores & whatnot - I came across this, stamped on the end of the cam:

Lunati L54P - 51014 - 112

Yep! While I was expecting a regular old HO cam, I found a hot Lunati grind with 218/226 duration and .500/.510 lift! Imagine the excitement :flip: Especially when i got online and found the cam card - 2500 to 6000 RPM, lopey idle - basically a better F303.

Well, all was good until I saw this lobe. The rest are okay, but this one is pretty rough. Not wiped out entirely, but definately not good.

My question is - Has anyone ever had a Hi-Po cam reground? I tried searching machine shops but couldn't find a price. I'll call around tomorrow. Could I have just one lobe reground? Will it be cost effective, or better just to shop around for a good used cam?

My budget for this engine is $0. I dont want to build a 100K engine. Just one that will run and not eat itself for about 10-15k miles. Maybe I should just try it as is and see what happens?

I've examined wear patterns on flat-tappet cams until I was blue in the face (can you say custom built spintron to monitor lifter wear in flat-4 vw motors?) But this is the my first roller. So I'm looking for a little advice or guidance - what would you do?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks, John

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #1 – January 31, 2006, 12:13:32 AM

I would just find another cam...

was the lifter damaged in any way?

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #2 – January 31, 2006, 12:19:24 AM

I'll have to check that out for sure tomorrow - but I didn't notice anything abnormal as I was dissassembling it. It's marked so I can check exactly where it came from.

I have a set of low-mileage, low-wear lifters that I was planning on using with this engine.

The engine itself supposedly has 200K miles on it, but now that I see that cam was in there - who knows. My friend only put 1000 miles on it before removing it from the car and selling it to me. I never heard it run but he said the valvetrain sounded bad - lots of ticking.

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #3 – January 31, 2006, 03:38:35 PM

Talked to my machine shop a little today, then called Reed Cams. They said it wasn't worth the money it would cost them to fix one lobe.

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #4 – January 31, 2006, 03:49:14 PM

If it helps I still have an e-303 (used) in good shape I will send you, give it to you for 30 plus shipping.

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #5 – January 31, 2006, 03:54:55 PM

well , i just posted a want ad for a good used cam. I'm PMing you.

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #6 – January 31, 2006, 04:03:37 PM

Also have a set of stock E7 heads if your interested they can go for 50 plus shipping.

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #7 – February 06, 2006, 12:40:34 PM

delta cams, here in washington, generaly re-grind a entire cam shaft for 70$ or so, but call summit, and get the whole cam and lifter kit,

if you go new cam, go new lifters, otherwise...you'll do it all over again....with more work...IE metal shavings,

used cams need to go with used lifters, marking each lifter as it comes out,

why were you pulling all of this off any way ?!

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #8 – February 06, 2006, 02:03:36 PM

Quote from: 460 turbo truck

used cams need to go with used lifters, marking each lifter as it comes out.

\

This is true for flat tappet camshafts,But he has a roller cam they do not develop a wear pattern like a flattappet does. He will be ok reusing the lifters if the rollers look acceptible.Ie no gouging,ruffness,discoloration etc

Cam Lobe Repair - Can I save it?

Reply #9 – February 06, 2006, 11:22:14 PM

Quote from: 460 turbo truck

why were you pulling all of this off any way ?!

Rebuilding a worn out engine...